Southgate called the goal 'world class' but he was just as happy with the all-round play of the 20-year-old Manchester United forward.

Uruguay will head to the World Cup on a winning note after beating Uzbekistan 3-0 in a chilly warmup in front of their own fans on Thursday.

Belgium hammered the final nail into Egypt's halting World Cup warm-up campaign with an assured 3-0 win in Brussels on Wednesday that settled some nerves among the fancied hosts.

Brazil may be five-time winners of the World Cup and joint favourites to make it six in Russia this year but the South Americans do not yet have the right blend for success, three-time World Cup winner Pele said.

Belgium have retained injured Vincent Kompany in their final World Cup squad but put fellow defender Laurent Ciman on standby in case the Manchester City skipper is not fit for their opening match in Russia.

Spain goalkeeper David de Gea made a rare error which led to his side drawing 1-1 at home to Switzerland in a World Cup warm-up friendly on Sunday which the hosts dominated but failed to make their superior possession count.

The former Barcelona forward, key to his country's hopes in Russia, came on as a halftime substitute and provided the moment of inspiration for win the game in the 69th minute.

England beat Nigeria 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday that provided some clues as to how coach Gareth Southgate will line up his still experimental side when the World Cup gets underway in two weeks' time.

The striker is expected to be fully fit by the time Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17.

However, experienced goalkeeper Joe Hart and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere were both omitted from a squad announced on Wednesday via a social media video featuring young recreational players from around the country shouting out the names.

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

The National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest is in full swing, with some of the best entries across the nature category being shared with the public.

The nation ranked 138 among 180 countries, according to the annual World Press Freedom Index report.

Injured Brazil striker Neymar has targeted May 17 for a return to training and vowed to work harder than ever to be ready for this year's World Cup in Russia.

Travel companies and agencies are offering early bird discounts going up to 40 per cent. Priyadarshini Maji reports

It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and emphasised more than ever how reliant his side are on their talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

Brazil's Paris St Germain forward Neymar has had a successful operation

Neymar will undergo surgery this weekend that will keep him out for up to three months but Brazil's trainer said on Thursday the Paris St Germain striker would definitely be ready for the start of the World Cup in mid-June.

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field

Why keep it boring when you can ring in the New Year in style?

The favourites to win next year's World Cup in Russia were given navigable paths to the last 16 with the coaches of Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain having reason to feel reasonably optimistic after Friday's draw.

Analysis of the eight groups for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be held in Russia.

Hosts Russia will kick off next year's World Cup finals versus Saudi Arabia in Moscow and defending champions Germany will start against Mexico after Friday's draw threw up some mouthwatering clashes.

Silva struck twice in the second half to further stretch the 2010 World Cup winners' lead after Barcelona's Jordi Alba had fired them into the lead in the sixth minute and Alvaro Morata had doubled their advantage midway through the first half.

Jan-Fiete Arp (8th minute), Nicolas Kuehn (62nd) and Sahverdi Cetin (90+2) netted for the winners, while Ibrahima Soumah got the lone goal for Guinea in the 26th minute in the final Group C match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.

the countries assured of places in the 32-team field for next year's World Cup finals in Russia after Tuesday's qualifiers.

A summary of Tuesday's qualification matches next year's FIFA World Cup.

European powerhouse Spain bounced back from the defeat in their opening match to score a 4-0 victory over Niger in a Group D match of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Kochi on Tuesday.

Both sides will be high on confidence with an aim to come out all guns blazing.

Both the teams have won their respective opening matches with Germany getting past Costa Rica 2-1 and Iran beating Guinea 3-1 last Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench and scored an opportunist goal which set Portugal on the way to a 2-0 win in Andorra on Saturday that maintained their chances of qualifying directly for the World Cup.

A dominant Brazil made a strong statement of their top title contender status with a 2-1 victory over Spain in a Group D marquee clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Kochi, on Saturday.

A round-up of the World Cup qualifying matches played on Friday.

The football fans in Kochi will get a chance to witness a fascinating contest between Brazilian attacking flare and Spanish 'tiki-taka' possession football in what could be a final before the final of this tournament.

Summary of the South American World Cup qualifiers played on Thursday

Summary of the South American World Cup qualifiers played on Thursday

FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 Full Schedule, Venue Details, Time Table

Adjudged the best goalkeeper at the South American U-17 Championship in March, Borquez had a clean slate in four games to help his side secure a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification for the first time since 1997.